Booking a DJ for Your Wedding or Special Event

It has come to our attention that a lot of "brides to be" or wedding planners have been contacting us frequently in the past saying their entertainment backed out on them or even went out of business. We are not telling you this to scare you. We just want to make sure that whomever you get to provide your music completes a legal and binding contract ensuring their services for your day. The same goes for your caterers, photographers, etc. Keep in touch with them too. Make sure things are still set and everything is a go.

The Importance of a Written Contract

If you don't have a contract, you have no guarantee that the DJ or band will show up!!! So no contract can be VERY DEVASTATING!

- Having a signed contract is a MUST -

How Soon Do I Need to Book A DJ?

The most popular and experienced DJ's get booked up fast so the longer you wait the less chance you have at booking a great DJ or the DJ you want. If you wait a month or two before your event you may end up getting stuck with someone inexperienced or of lesser quality that you had hoped for. It is very important that you book your DJ, venues and everything else you need at least 6-12 months in advance. Dates fill up very quickly from January through March. Don't be stuck with services that were simply available, make sure you get the service providers you wanted by booking early! Also it is important because it is very difficult for a DJ to perform at there best with little time to prepare and know everything that is going on for an event. So it is important to book early and stay in touch with your DJ so everything is planned out and ready to go for your special event!

- Book Your DJ ASAP -

All DJ's Are Pretty Much the Same

FALSE! Every single DJ and DJ Company is different in many ways. All DJ's have a different style and some are specialists in particular genres or styles of music. Some DJ's have been trained in entertaining in Clubs or Bars and not Wedding or other events. Every company has different styles and levels of DJ's and rules for training and professionalism. Some companies pay their DJ's very little money and get the first person that they can find that is familiar with music and can run the equipment. Make sure the DJ/Company you are looking at hiring has training and is professional, but also not only out to make top dollar. Be sure that they are there to make your night the best it can be.

- No DJ's are the same in pretty much any way -

Why Not Hire a DJ That Specializes In One Particular Music Style/Genre?

There are some DJ's out there that specialize in one main style of music such as "Classics" or "Oldies" and that might sound like the perfect fit for your age group and MOST of your guests will enjoy SOME of the songs as well. Everyone knows "oldies" right? Most likely yes, but what about the group of younger guests? Don't forget that you have a lot of guests and you want them to stick around and have fun, so a variety of music is probably a good idea. Most requests are from all genre's of music... one person wants a country song, another Hip-Hop, etc. You get the idea. Make sure your DJ has a variety and is up to date, nearly everyone likes to hear some of the new stuff.

- A variety of guests requires a variety of music -

Why Not Hire The Cheapest DJ?

Some DJ's may charge as little as $300 or maybe even less to do a Wedding or event. Does this mean that they won't do a great job and don't have the equipment and variety to do a good job at your event? Who Knows??? They might do an ok job, but why are they only charging $300? Sounds like something may not be legit, or the DJ is very inexperienced, or they are just starting out or maybe business issimply that bad for them. Is that something you want to risk on one of the most important days/events of your life? Nearly all professional and experienced DJ's need to make more than $300 a gig to even come close to making ends meet and making it worth their time to DJ at all. Professional equipment is VERY expensive and all business expenses can be very costly. Bottom line with most things in life is that "You get what you pay for".

Any DJ that has done a lot of weddingsknows that they put too much into a wedding to only charge peanuts. On the other hand, the most expensive in town may not have what you are looking for either and just because they charge way more doesn't meanthey will do a better job, they may just be out to make as muchmoney as they can. Typically the money hungry companies are all business and little customer service.

- You get what you pay for, cheap is cheap for a reason -

How Important Is A Good DJ?

What is typically the part of a Wedding Reception that everyone remembers or talks about the next day? The Dance and how fun or lame it was! Many other vendors and Wedding professionals charge a lot more than the DJ does.... but why? Why is everyone willing to pay thousands for Photography, food, dresses, etc, and then feel like paying a few hundred for a DJ is expensive. The entertainment at any event is VERY important and nearly 95% of married couples say they would have spent more time and money on the entertainment portion of their weddings! Hintidy hint hint!!!

- Ask some friends that are married how important the DJ is -

For more info and free tips, visit www.MinnesotaProDj.com, www.LeyDigitalMusic.com or www.MinneapolisDjService.com.